Last year MLB Brian Urlacher publicly stated that his season would not be as good as normal without Dusty Dvorcek being on the line.  He praised Dvoracek's ability to eat up the front lines blocks allowing him to attack the runner.  Urlacher can be happy, because at least for now Dvoracek is back and will should see extensive playing time in tonight's game.

Dvoracek at his best is a disruptive force. The 6-foot-3-inch, 303-pound defensive lineman showed flashes during his short stint against the Chargers last season. He was credited with five tackles, including one for a loss, before suffering the ACL tear—while setting the wedge on special teams, no less.

"It was unfortunate how it happened," Dvoracek said, "but I don't think I'll be playing special teams anymore."

With the Bears now set at two skill positions (QB and RB, unless Kevin Jones comes out with a bang), the Bears need to decide who will line up with them.  Wide receiver Brandon Llyod still is gunning for the #1 spot.

Brandon Lloyd leads all Bears wideouts with 5 catches in the preseason, and his 56 yards are second on the team to tight end Kellen Davis' 80 (on 4 catches).

But Lloyd isn't taking anything for granted as he prepares for Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him in the third round out of Illinois in 2003.

"I'm still searching," he said. "We'll find out when the preseason's over."

Indy QB Peyton Manning is still working toward an opening day start against the Bears.

"I've not really had a whole lot to say, to tell you the truth," he said. "As to when I'll be back on the practice field, that's still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, the better for me. My goal is to be back for the first game."

The Colts are in one of if not the toughest division in the NFL, plus they have their annual New England Patriots battle.  They need to get the wins they are heavily favored in .  The Bears are helping the Colts open up their new stadium and starting backup Jim Sorgi would destroy any momentum they might build up.

Israel Idonije, who has been a standout special teams player for the past few years, not surprisingly wants an increased role on the defensive line in 2008.  He's been utilized as a defensive end in the past, but in recent practices he's been lining up at DT.  To prepare to play inside, he put on 20 pounds and now plays at 295.

With Idonije expected to see more playing time on defense, his role on special teams likely will be reduced.

“The way I look at it right now is that I feel I have to replace him,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “If I think that way and get him replaced, then it’s a bonus if I get him back.

“I’ve got to think that he’s going to be in the [defensive line] rotation. He’ll probably get a lot of plays defensively, so I’m not going to be able to use him as much. If I use him in any phase, it would be kickoff because he’s a factor. Just having him running down the middle of the field, you have to account for him. You have to use two guys on him, so that frees up somebody else.”

Despite what Toub thinks, Idonije will likely split time with Dusty Dvoracek and rookie Marcus Harrison in the preseason, but I would expect they'll win the job over him and go into a starting rotation to start the season, and Idonije will slide back into his special teams role.

Mike Brown has been cleared to participate in camp and has hit the ground running .

Bears releases P Glenn Pakulak .

As expected Alex Brown has opened camp as the starting right defensive end

Kyle Orton favored by a number of people .

Coach Lovie Smith said QB competition might not be made until before the last preseason game.

Dusty Dvoracek is sidelined with a minor hand injury.

Dan Bazuin is healthy and back at practice .

Idonije bulks up and Benson isn't as svelte as originally thought.